Reciprocating contact switch



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ||l n .i lll .1 ll'l J- F. FRESE RECIPROCA-TING CONTACT SWITCH Feb. 7, 1950 Filed Aug. 30, 1945.

WW W m N W &W hmm NM r2 2 J. F. FRESE RECIPROCATING CONTACT SWITCH Feb. 7, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 30, 1945 4 w M I Z i //////%///AI. m 6 8 7 W 5 a 6 MW 0 34!? Fill: 7 aiissilliil -.L M n Z 3 R \MQ .L v C 6 7 Feb. 7, 1950 I J. F. FRESE, 2,496,282

RECIPROCATING CONTACT SWITCH Filed Aug. 30, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 //VI /Vf0/9 Donny? gMiiwow Patented Feb. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT orncs 2,400,282 aacrraocarmc coarser swrrcn Joseph F. Frese, Baltimore, Md., assig'nor to The v Monitor Controller Company, Baltimore, Md., a

corporation of Maryland Application August 3., 1945, Serial No. 618,82

Claims. (Cl. 200-16).

1 My invention relates broadly to electric switches and more particularly to an improved construction of momentary contact oil switch.

' Oneof the objects of my invention is to provide an improved construction of oil switch of the momentary contact type for power wiring in Another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of oil switch in which the contactors and contact elements of the switch may be readily replaced without replacing the switch as a whole.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an arrangement of movable contactor system for oil immersed switches in which disc elements are employed and which may be angularly adiusted in position to present a fresh contact surface to coacting contacts to insure good electrical conductivity throughout the operating cycle of the switch.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of oil switch including an oil containing casing which may be readily mounted on a standard wiring outlet box in such manner that condensation which may form in the wiring conduit will not follow the wires into the oil immersed case.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the improved construction of momentary contact oil immersed switch as set forth in the following specification as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of the oil immersed station showing the momentary contact startstop switch control; Fig. 2 is a front view of the oil immersed station of Fig. 1 with the tank and a portion of the support thereof broken away and illustrated in section to show the arrangementoi contactors and coasting contacts within the oil immersed station; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the oil immersed station of Figs. 1 and 2 with the case and support therefor partially broken away and illustrated in section'toshow the oil immersed replaceable converse sectional view taken through the movable contactors and cdacting contacts substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and linei-i of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through thecontactor and coacting contact system taken substantially on line 6-4 of Fig. 4; Fig. '7 is a plan view partially broken away and illustrated in section showing the arrangement of the fixed coacting replaceable contacts in the oil immersed station; Fig. 8 is a reverse plan view of theinsulated support for the fixed replaceable contacts illustrated in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a side elevatlonal view of a modified form of .oil immersed station showing the tank and support therefor in vertical section and illustrating a double arrangement of replaceable contactors and coacting replaceable contacts for multiple circuit control as compared to single circuit control in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1-9; Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view takenon line "-4! of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken on line [2-42 of Fig. 10; and Figures 13A,'l3B, 13C,

13D and 13E, show in symbolic arrangement the I various types of contacts to which the switch of my invention may be adapted.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character I represents a plate member which is integrally connected with a housing 2 which is also integrally connected'with plate member 3 which extends in a plane normal to the plane of the plate member I. Plate member 3 is cut away immediately adjacent the housing 2 so that housing 2 has a substantially hollow interior portion 2a within which the actuating mechanism for the contactors may be arranged. The plate member 3 is directly attachable to a standard construction of termi a1 box 4. Terminal box! is provided with securing lugs to, lb, 40 and 4d through which securing means may be passed for anchoringthe terminal box to a wall structure. ductors to the terminal box terminates in the inlet or entrance sleeve member 5* in one wall of the terminal box 4. Any condensate which may follow the conductors leading into the terminal box I will be directed away from the electrical contactor system as such condensate will merely drip to the lower portion of the terminal box 4 at 4e rather than enter the hollow housing 2a. This will be clear by observing the fact that the plate members I and 3 extend normally to each other and that the entrance 5 to the ter- The conduit carrying the electrical con- 7 3 minal box 4 is located well below the hollow portion 2a of housing 2.

Suitable securing means 6 are provided, passing through plate member I and into screwthreaded lug portions of terminal box I, for securing the plate member 3 in position. The housing 2 is provided with an integrally formed bearing portion I, through which the shaft I is iournaled. Shaft 8 projects interiorly into the hollow portion 2a of housing2 and exteriorly to a position in which the shaft 8 receives the actuator 9. Actuator 9 is provided with a pair of normally disposed pedals or actuating portions II and I l in the form of flat angularly extending plate members. By applying pressure to either of the plate members It or H shaft 8 may be rocked angularly. Interiorly oi the hollow portion 2c of the housing 2, I provide a rocker l2 secured to the shaft 8 by suitable means such as rivet II. The rocker l2 has oppositely directed extensions It and I thereon which are arranged to rock simultaneously with the movement of the plate portions I 0 and H 01' the actuator 9 for engaging the headed ends I! and it of the plunger members i9 and 20, respectively. The plunger members l9 and extend through the removable screw-threaded bushing units 2i and 22.

The screw threaded bushing units 2i and 22 each have screw threads thereon adapted to removably engage with screw-threaded bores 23 and 24 in plate member I. The screw-threaded bushings 2| and 22 are each arranged to receive cylindrical members 25 and 28, respectively,

terminates in a headed end of insulation material represented at 21 and 28, respectively; The headed ends comprise a washer member 21 and 28 which are held in position by the collars 21a and 28a integral with the ends of the plunger members i9 and 20, respectively. The headed ends serve as abutments for the conductive disclike members 29 and 30 which form the electrical conductive means for bridging the sets or contacts which are included in the oil switch system of my inventions. member I 9, however, the conductive disc 29 has a coil spring 3| interposed between the end portion 21 and the conductive disc 29. In the case of the coacting conductive disc-like member ll coil spring 32 is interposed between the end oi the insulation member 28 and the conductive disc-like member 30. This permits the arrangement of the coacting sets of fixed contactors so that one set of fixed contactors, as represented,

for example, at 33 and 34, may be maintained closed while the other set of fixed contactors, as represented, for example, at 25 and II, may be maintained open in the normal position of the actuator 9, as represented in Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 4.

It will be observed that the plunger members [9 and 20 and their associated removable bushing units 2i and 22 may be readily removed from the In the case of the plunger plate member I for renewal or replacement from time to time. This is accomplished by removing the oil container H and unscrewing and removlike members with fresh contact surfaces for coaction with the fixed contactors.

4 Thesetsotiixsdcontactorsarsmountedupon a removable panel structure represented by reference character 31. The removable panel structure s1 is termed from insulation material and is provided with a pair of spaced longitudinally extending insulated shield-like portions as and II. The shield-like insulated portions II and I. of the plate-like members 81 are slotted longitudinally as represented at Ila and "a. These insulated shield-like portions serve as separators between the contacts of each of the sets of contacts ll-lland 25-48. It will be observed that the sets of contacts 22-" are suspended from the panel 81 of insulation material. on angle members II and II which align the contacts I! and 34 with the conductive disc-like member 20 so that as the conductive disc-like member 20 is moved by plunger member I! contacts as and 84 may be bridged, as represented in Figures 2 and 4, for establishing a shunt electrical connection therebetween or, as in the case of the conductive disc-like member it, the disc-like member It may be displaced from the contacts II and I. for opening the electrical circuit therebetween by displacement oi the conductive disc-like member II from the contacts I! and II. It will be observed that contacts 3! and It are mounted on angle members 42 and II which depend from the plate 21 of insulation material and with a portion of the shield oi insulation material 8. extending therebetween.

The shields oi insulation material it and 8! are each-apertured longitudinally oi the length thereof for the passage of the securing bolts 44 and 45 which are screw threaded at the ends thereof into the plate member i, as represented, for example, in Figure 3 at a. By removing the bolt members It and II the entire fixed contact assembly may be readily removed for renewal or replacement. The angle members 4|, ll, 42 and II which are secured to the plate member ll each terminate in binding posts or connecting screws a, 4 la, 42a and a to which connection is made through the wires which are brought through entrance 8, terminal 'box the hollow interior 2a of housing land through th entrance way It in the plate member I. Thus connection is made to the sets or fixed contacts which may be bridged selectively by angular movement of rocker I! under control oi actuator I. As represented in Figures 1-4, one set 0! contactors it and ll isbridged while the opposite set oi contactors II and it remains open. This selective control is eflected by pressure applied to either of the panels or plate-like portions ll and H o! the actuator I.

I have shown in Figures 10-12 an arrangement oi. a double contactor system in which one set of contactors of each group of contactors is bridged while the other. set of contactors remains open and in which reverse operation may be obtained byalternate movement of the actuator. In this arrangement there are two sets or removable panels of insulation material which I have represented at l! and I8, both of which are sus-.

pended from the plate member I through removable bolts u and II and II and '2. respectively.

The panels 41 and ll each carry coacting sets oi bracket members which support coacting con- .conductive members controlled by the plunger members It 2|. similarly. panel ll such brackets l1, 58, I! and 80 having contactors material 84'. These two sets of conductive disclike members with the sheets or discs of insulation material adjacent thereto are separated by spring member 85 tending to continuously urge the sets of disc-like members apart and toward the coacting fixed contacts. When one.; set oifixed contacts is bridging the other set of fixed contacts remain open, but as the plunger member I9 is axially shifted to eflect the required displacement a coil spring 65 yields to cushion the abutment of the respective conductive disclike members with respect to the associated fixed contactors. In the case of the plungermember 20 I provide conductive disc-like members 68 and 61 centered upon insulated bushing 68 coextensive with the cylindrical insulation member 26 with backing discs or insulating material represented at 88 and 69 associated therewith and provided with coil spring Ill located therebetween. Thus, the respective conductive disclike members may be dis laced for establishing alternate connection with either of the coacting rets of fixed contacts depending upon the axial displacement of plunger member 20. The coil sp ing I0 serves as a yieldable cushioning to prevent shock in establishing connection between the respective conductive disc-like inemb'ers and the associated sets of fixed contacts.

I In Figure 13A I have shown in symbolic form one ofthe elemental forms oi. the switch of my invention in which two fixed contacts are'normally open and which may be brid ed by de- I pressing the plunger member carrying the conductive disc-like member, thus serving to complete electrical circuit across the fixed contacts. In Figure 133 I have shown an arrangement oi.

' the switch of my invention in which two fixed contacts are normally closed by bridging relation with the conductive disc-like member.

In Figure 136 I have. shown a double pole switch arrangement in which two sets of fixed contacts are bridged normally by two insulatinely arranged disc-like conductive members. movement of the plunger member serves to displace the disc-like members from engagement which two separate conductive disc-like members are normally maintained in open circuit position with respect to the two sets oi. fixed contacts. By

this arrangement depression of the plunger member serves to move the conductive disc-like members into projecting relation to the associated fixed contacts.

In Figure 13!! I have shown in symbolic representation the arrangement illustrated in Figures 10-12 wherein one disc-like member servesto maintain one set of coacting fixed contacts closed while another conductive disc-like member maintains the coacting set of fixed contactsopen ready to be alternately controlled by the axial movement of the plunger member. 1

In all 01' the several arrangements of the oilswitch oimy invention I provide a container for oil which is represented at! i which may be'fllled with oil to-a level well above the conductive disc- 1 like members and the coacting fixed contactors associated therewith, but below the wiring terminals represented, for example, at Illa, Ha, 42a, 43a, etc., which permits ease of wiring the several terminals which have not been subjected to continuous immersion in oil.

The oil container H is maintained in position .with respect to plate member I by suitable securing screws 12 which pass through the top of plate member I and enter screw-threaded apertures formed in corner portions 13 of the container.

I have found the oil switch of my invention highly practical in manufacture, production, operation and maintenance. The fact that'the contactors, although fixed andmovable, may be readily renewed and replaced in the casing for the switch substantially reduces maintenance cost as the casing for the switch system and the actuator therefor are substantially permanent in character, allowing renewal and replacement 01' those parts which are very readily subject to wear. v

The-tact that the parts of the switch of my invention may be readily removed, replaced and installed makes it possible for a customer or user to purchase the elemental parts of the switch and make the installation in the field in accordance with the requirements of a particular problem.

While I have described my invention in certain of its preferred embodiments, I realize that modifications may be made and I intend no limitations of my invention otherwisethan may be imposed by the .scopeof the appended claims.

What I claimand desire to secure by L'etters Patent oi the United States is as follows:

1. An oil switch comprising a casing includ- ..ing a wall member and an attachable cover member therefor, a pair of depressible plunger members removably mounted on said wall members,

Axial conductive disc-like members carried by each 01 said plunger m mbers, a pair of panels 01 insulation material detachably mounted on said well member in spacial relationto' said plunger members, said panels having insulatedprojections thereon, extending in planes substantially I normal to the planes otsaid-p'anels, sets of contacts supported with respectto said wall member on opposite sides of the proiectionson said panel members in the path of said conductive disc-like members, yieldable means associated with said conductive disc-like members and with said plunger members, and means for selectively and alternately displacing said plunger members and conductive disc-like members with respect to said sets of contacts for selectively shuntingor disconnecting the respective sets of contacts.

2. An electrical switch comprising in combin-' ation a wall structure, pairs of projectable and retractlble plunger members detachably mounted on said wall structure, contactors carried by each of said plunger members, panel members of insulation material detachably ,connectible with said wall structure adJacent said plunger members,.sets of fixed contacts mounted in spaced positions on said panel members adapted to register with the contactors carried by said plunger members, and barriers of insulation material projecting on either side of said panel members between said sets of fixed contacts for insulating the contacts of each set one from another.

3. A switch structure comprising a wall member, a pair of projectable and retractible plunger members detachably mounted on said wall member, contactors carried by said plunger members, a pair of spaced longitudinally extending shield-like portions 01' insulation material each having a centrally disposed bore extending therethrough for the passage of securing bolts, detachable securing bolts extending through the bores in said longitudinally extending shieldlike portions and detachably connectible with said wall member adiacent the mounting of said vplunger members thereon, a panel of insulation material extending between and projecting transversely beyond said shield-like portions of insulation material, and fixed contacts mounted on said panel for registration with the contactors carried by said plunger members and disposed on opposite sides of said shield-like portions with said shield-like portions projecting therebetween and insulatingly separating said fixed contacts.

4. A switch structure comprising a wall member, a pair of projectable and retractible plunger members detachably mounted on said wall member, contactors carried by said plunger members, a pair of spaced longitudinally extending shieldlike portions of insulation material each having a centrally disposed bore extending therethrough for the passage of securing bolts, detachable securing bolts extending through the boras in said longitudinally extending shield-like portions and detachably connectible with said wall member adjacent the mounting of said plunger members thereon, a panel of insulation material extending between and projecting transversely beyond said shield-like portions of insulation material, said panel having the peripheral edge thereof spaced from said wall member for the passage oi connecting conductors, and fixed contacts mounted 8 on said panel for registration with the contactors carried by said plunger members and disposed on opposite 'sides 0! said shield-like portions with said shield-like portions projecting therebetween and insulatingly separating said fixed contacts and terminals for said fixed contacts located ad- Jacent said peripheral edge of said panel for establishment of connection with conductors extending between said peripheral edge and said wall member.

5. A switch structure comprising a wall member, a pair of screw-threaded removable bushings extending into said wall member and terminating in cylindrical cup-like guides, spring actuated plunger members extending through said bushings and terminating in actuating heads on one end and sleeves of insulation material on the other end, said sleeves of insulation material having the ends thereof slidable in said cylindrical cup-like guides, movable contactors mounted on the other ends of said sleeves and fixed contacts insulatingly supported with respect to said wall member and aligned with said movable contacts and operative to establish connection therewith, and means engaging the actuating heads on said plunger members for controlling the coniiaecttsions between said movable and fixed con- JOSEPH F. FRESE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 623,118 Cloos Apr. 11, 1899 729,172 Hewlett May 26, 1903 732,672 Ball June 30, 1903 998,786 Loeilier July 25, 1911 1,889,075 Lehman Oct. 23, 1928 1,736,370 Sachs Nov. 19,1929 1,869,646 Anderson Aug. 2, 1932 1,898,744 Rah Feb. 21, 1933 2,300,195 Bennett Oct. 27, 1942 

